Press Release: War Criminals in Syria Face Justice: The Hague Court of Appeal Convicts a Member of Liwaa’ al Quds
The Hague \ 27 August 2025- The Hague Court of Appeal today rejected the appeal filed by the defendant, Mustafa Aldahoudi (a 36-year-old Syrian-Palestinian), and upheld the judgment of the District Court of The Hague, while increasing the sentence to 13 years of imprisonment.
The Court confirmed that Liwa al Quds was a criminal organisation that intentionally took part in the widespread and systematic attack on the Syrian civilian population, and that the defendant played a leading role in this organisation. He was also found guilty as a co-perpetrator in the arrest of Mr. Kaddoura and as an accomplice in the co-perpetration of his torture in January 2013. In addition to the criminal conviction, the Court awarded the victim, Mr. Kaddoura, EUR 40,000 in compensation for the pain and suffering he endured, of which EUR 5,000 will be fronted directly by the Dutch State, while the remaining EUR 35,000 must be claimed from the defendant. This is the first case of its kind in the Netherlands concerning crimes committed in Syria since 2011.
The case originated from the complaint filed by the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression, in cooperation with the Nuhanovic Foundation, before the Dutch Public Prosecution Service. The complaint included allegations of the defendant’s involvement in violent arrests, torture, and unlawful deprivation of liberty of at least two civilians in Aleppo in early 2013, when he was serving as a unit commander in Liwaa al Quds, a militia that militarily supports the Syrian authorities under Bashar al-Assad. Based on this complaint, the Dutch authorities launched an investigation that led to the arrest of the defendant in the Dutch city of Kerkrade in 2022.
On 22 January 2024, the District Court of The Hague sentenced the defendant to 12 years of imprisonment after convicting him of participating in the violent arrest of civilians under threat of weapons, and as a member of an organisation with the intent to commit international crimes. The defendant appealed the verdict before the Hague Court of Appeal, which has now rendered its decision.
Commenting on the Court’s ruling, Mazen Darwish, lawyer and Director of the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression, said:
“Today’s decision carries a clear message that war crimes and crimes against humanity cannot go unpunished, and that the voices of victims can reach European courtrooms. Yet these prosecutions must be complemented by a transitional justice process inside Syria that places victims at its core, to ensure redress and accountability for all perpetrators.”
The Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression welcomes the decision of the Hague Court of Appeal. The Center reaffirms its commitment to supporting all victims and ensuring their access to justice, continuing to document crimes committed against Syrians and pursue accountability for perpetrators, and cooperating with judicial and human rights bodies worldwide to end impunity and amplify the voices of victims.
– End of Statement –For media inquiries and to arrange interviews with the Director of the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression:
Hanan Al Habach – Senior Communications Officer
Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression
